Door operating system



Oct. 31, 1939. J, '1, BYRNE 2,178,136

DOOR OPERATING SYSTEM Filed June 15, 1936 4 SheetsSheet' 1 INVENTOR JULIUS I. BYRNE A TTORNEYS Octal, 1939. J, BYRNE 2,178,136

DOOR OPERATING SYSTEM Filed June 15, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR JULIUS l. BYRNE BI)" gig}: g: i: a: I

A TTORNEYS Oct. 31, 1939. J. l. BYRNE 2,178,136

DOOR OPERATING SYSTEM Filed June 15, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR JULBUS I. BYRNE B Y I ATTORNEYS to each other; to provide automatic take-up Patented Oct. 31, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DOQR'OPERATING SYSTEM Julius 1 B'yrne, Detroit, Mich. 7 Application June 15, 1936, Serial No. 85,427

20 Claims.

The. invention relates to door operating systems and refers more particularly to mechanical .systemsfor operating doors. comprising a pluralsections or leaves which are movable on. guides v or tracks or are-hinged together or arranged in a combination of such sections.

My invention. contemplates the provision of improved means for simultaneously differentially moving. the. door sections sothat they will arrive simultaneously either at their open positions or their closed positions. My invention also has for an object to provide positive" and direct means for. so moving the sections from acommon source of power. My invention hasfor-another object to provide means comprising a single linear. memher which isconnected to the sections and a carriage engaging the linear member for..securing the proper relative rate of movement of the. door sections.

The invention has for" further objects toprovide an adjustable. attachment for, connecting thelinear member'tothe door. sections independently of each other whereby the. door sections may be quickly and accurately adjusted relative means. for the linear member to compensate for stretch. and wear and to thereby maintain the properrelation of the door sections-to each other; and to. provide asimple, efiective device for slowing. down or checking the rate of 'movement of the door sections as they approach their closed or. open positions.

With these and otherobjects in view, the inventionresides in the novel features of construction andcombinations andarrangements of parts as morefully hereinafter set forth.

Inthe drawings:

Figure 1. is an inside elevation illustrating door. operating system embodying my invention;

Figure. 2 is a diagrammaticview of the door operating system Figure 3 is a cross. section on the. line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4. is an enlarged plan View of. a portion of the door operating system illustrated in Figure l and showing'the carriage;

Figure 5 is a side elevation of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a cross section on the line 6-6 of FigureA;

Figure 7 is an enlarged plan view of another portion of the door operating system showing the slack take-up device; I

Figure 8 is a side elevation of Figure 7;

Figures 9, 10 and 11 are diagrammatic views illustrating other embodiments of my invention;

Figure '12 is a view similar to a portion of Figure 5 illustrating another-manner of securing the-linear member to the door sections.

My invention is applicable to operating systems for multi-section doors adapted to be used in a number of structuresrsuch as airplane hangers, factories, warehouses and other structures, in which this-type of door is suitableor preferable.

I Ihave in the present instance illustrated the invention in an operating system for an airplane hangerdoor. It is apparent that the door may close the'complete entrance opening of the airplane'hanger or one half or any portion of this opening and that the number of sections or leaves forming. the door may be varied to suit the requirements. In the embodiment illustratedin Figures 1- to 8 inclusive, the door is each other so that. they may be moved relatively to each other acrossthe opening. When in'closed positions these sections are relatively extended and their adjacent ends normally overlap. When in' open positions, these sections are arranged side by side or juxtaposed, and their corresponding ends-are in substantial alignment in a plane at right angles to their path of movement.

Each. of the door sections is provided at its bottom with the'rollers 5 which support the door sections. and are movable over suitable tracks 6 in the floor. Each door section is provided at its top with the pairs of rollers I engaging the depending flanges of the head angles 8 whereby the tops of the door sections are guided. These head angles are suitably supported from the cross beams 9 of the framework of the building. In the present instance, I have provided the plate ID between-the head angles and the cross beams and extending longitudinally of the head angles. This plate ll], however, terminates short of the door pocket II which receives the door sections- When in their open positions.

To move the door sections to open or closed positions, I provide the linear member l2 which is secured to each of the door. sectionsand is reeved over the series of sheaves I3 and I4 and is connected at one end to the anchor I5 and at the other end to the drum IS. The linear member, as shown, is a continuous flexible cable which from its point of connection to the anchor I5 is alternately reeved over the sheaves I4 and 13. More particularly, this cable has the portions I2 which extend substantially parallel to the head angles 8 below their horizontal flanges, each portion being connected to a door section. The cable also has the portions I2 above the head angles 8 and the plate I0, these latter portions connecting the portions I2 over this sheave to move the associateddoorsec tion to its closed position. The series of sheaves I4 comprises a sheave for each door section journaled upon the carriage I'I beyond the plate Ill. The sheaves I3 and I4 are arranged inpairs so that the portions I2 of the cable extending between the sheaves of the pairs extend in substantial parallelism to the head angles. Furthermore, these sheaves are vertically positioned so that their lower portions extend below the horizontal flanges of the head angles, while their upper portions are located above the head angles and the plate above these head angles. In the arrangement as shown diagrammatically in Figure 2, it will be noted that the cable extends from the anchor I5 alternately over the sheaves I4andI3 to thedrumIB. w

The head angles 8 are arranged so that their horizontal flanges extend inwardly from the depending'flanges and relative to the building. The cable portions I2 are located inwardly of their respective head angles. The cable portions I2 are located above the head angles and also the plate IQ. As a result, the cable is effectively weathered or protected by the building, including the head angles and the plate thereabove.

The carriage I! is supported upon the building framework and may be located at any "convenient point in the building and may travel in any direc tion. In the present instance, the carriage is supported upon the cross beams 9 and is preferably located in the upper portion of the door pocket I I beyond the plate Ill. The carriage'is reciprocable through a path preferably parallel to the paths of movement of the door sections and it is moved in both directions in timed relation to the drum It. The carriage, in addition to carrying the sheaves I4, carries the drum. The construction is such that as the drum is rotated in a direction to wind the cable thereon, the carriage is moved toward the sheaves I3 a distance which when multiplied by the number of cable portions l2 and I2 equals the extent of cable wound on the drum. The arrangement is also such that as the drum is rotated in'the opposite direction to unwind the cable therefrom, the carriage is moved away from the sheaves I3 a distance which when multiplied. by the number of cable portions I2 and I2 equals the extent of cable unwound from the drum. The drum is of a size to wind thereon an extent or' length of cable at least equal to the travel of the inner door section 4 from its fully closed position to its fully open position and the carriage has sufiicient travel in timed relation to the drum to provide the same extent or length of cable. As a result, the cable is taut at all times during the'moveand alternating therewith. The series of sheaves I3 comprises a ment of the door sections to fully open position and to fully closed position.

With this arrangement, the door sections I, 2, 3 and 4 are simultaneously moved at rates proportional to their respective distances between fully open and fully closed positions, or they simultaneously differentially moved so that they arrive simultaneously at fully open positions or fully closed positions. The construction is also such that the drum directly acts to cause the door sections to move to closed positions and the carriage with the sheaves carried thereby directly acts to cause the door sections to move to open positions.

Referring more particularly to F gures 3, 4 and 5, the carriage I I has the side sills or plates I8 and the end and intermediate cross bars or rods I9 and 20 respectively, which extend between the side sills or plates. These cross bars or rods are preferably shouldered to hold the side sills johplaltes in fixed relation. Peripherally grooved 'rollsor wheels 2| are journaled on the ends of theend cross bars or rods 9 and engage the upper edges of the upright flanges 22 of the 'angle'bars 23 which form the rails for supporting and guiding the carriage. The rolls 24 are journaled upon the ends of the intermediate cross bar or rod 20 and engage the lower sides of the horizontal flanges 25 of the angle bars. The angle bars extend parallel to the angle bars 8 and are supported near their ends upon the cross beams 9 of the building framework, these cross beams I eing 50 positioned that they will not interfere with the travel of the carriage. The drum I6 is fixed upon the shaft 26 which extends between and is journaled in the side sills or plates I8. This shaft may be power or manually driven in bothdirections of rotation, it being shown in the'present instance as manually drivable by a chain wheel 21 fixed upon an inward extension of the shaft and a chain 28 extending over the chain wheel and depending a sufiicient distance to enable an operator to readily grasp the same. The sheaves I 4 are independently journaled upon the shaft 29 which extends between and through the rear ends of the side sills or plates I8 below the angle bars 23.

' For moving the carriage in the proper direction in timed relation to the rotation of the drum to compensate for the extent of cable either wound upon'or unwound from the drum, I have provided the racks 30 which are fixedly secured upon the horizontal flanges 25 of the angle bars 23. I have also provided the pinions 3! meshing with these racks and fixed upon the ends of the shaft' 32 which extends between and through and is journaled' in the side sills or plates I8. This shaft has fixedly secured thereto between the side sills or plates the gear 33 which meshes with the gear 34 fixed upon the drum shaft 26. The ratios of the teeth of the gears 34 and 33 and the pinion 3| and rack 30 are such that the desired proportional movement of the carriage is positively secured. Also the carriage is moved away from or is advanced toward the sheaves I3 as the drum is rotated to respectively unwind and wind the cable. It will be noted that the rolls 24 are positioned longitudinally of the carriage in a zone adjacent to the pinions 3I so that these rolls effectively serve to maintain the pinions in proper relation to the racks 30.

To gradually retard the movement of the door sections as they are approaching their fully open or fully closed positions and to thereby prevent objectionable impact, I have provided the check ried upon the carriage ii and the stopsare ad-' justably positioned upon the framework of the building. This check may be either electrical, mechanical or hydraulic, and, as shown in the present instance, it is hydraulic and comprises the cylinder 3i, the plunger 33 slidable therein and resiliently held in its central position by means of the coil springs 39 and 4B. The cylinder contains a suitable fluid which may be bypassed from one side of the plunger to the other as by means of a restricted port through the pliuiger. The plunger has secured thereto the oppositely extending rods 4! which are engageable with the stops 36.

While the cable is adjustably connected to the nchor it to initially tension the cable, it is also desirable to maintain the cable taut at all times. This is accomplished by resiliently urging either all or one of the sheaves I3 in a direction away from the sheaves i l. As shown in the present instance, the inner sheave i3 with the inner door section t is mounted upon the shaft 42 which is slidably mounted in the supports 43 at opposite sides of the sheave. These supports are located above the head angles 8 and plate ii and are suitably supported from the framework of the building. at are coil springs connected at one end to the opposite ends of the shafts 2 and at the other end to the opposite ends of the shaft 35, this latter shaft being fixed in the supports 53. These coil springs exert a constant tension upon the cable to automatically maintain the same taut in the event of stretch or wear.

For the purpose of independently adjustably positioning the door sections, I have provided the cable grip 46 for connecting each door section to its respective portion of the cable. This cable grip comprises the pair of cooperating plates l? and 48 having their upper portions adapted to be clamped upon the cable. These plates are secured together by suitable means, such as the belts 9. The plate 4-! is sleeved upon the threaded rod 50, the ends of which are carried by the brackets ii secured to the top of the door section. 52 are nuts threaded upon the rod 58 and at the opposite ends of the plate ll. The arrangement is such that by adjusting the nuts longitudinally of the rod the door section may be longitudinally adjusted relative to the From the above description, it will be seen that during the winding of the cable on the drum it, the carriage ii and the sheaves M upon the earriage are moved toward the sheaves i3 and the cable is maintained taut at all times. As a result/the portions i2 of the cable are moved differentially toward the sheaves 53 so that the door sections I, 2, 3 and 4 which are secured to their respective cable portions iii are difierentially moved to their closed positions, illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. During the unwinding of the cable from the drum E5, the carriage l! and the sheaves it upon the carriage are moved away from the sheaves l3 and the cable is maintained taut at all times. As a result, the portions E2 of the cable are differentially moved from the sheaves it so that the door sections I, 2, 3 and -l are diilerentially moved to their open positions.

Figure 9 diagrammatically illustrates another embodiment of my invention in which the outer door section 53 is of greater width than the remaining door sections 54, .5 and 55. For-the purpose of simultaneously differentially moving the door sections so that all arrive simultaneously framework of at their closed and open positions, I provide, in addition to the construction diagrammatically shown in Figure 2, an extra sheave 5i secured to the framework of the building and anchor the outer end of the linear member upon the carriage 58, the linear member being reeved over this extra sheave 51 instead of being connected to an anchor at this point. It will be noted that this arrangement provides an extra cable portion corresponding to the cable portion I2 The remainder of the construction is the same as that illustrated in Figures 1 to 8 inclusive. In this modification the extra width of the outer door section and the increased travel of the other sections equals the travel of the carriage. It will also be noted that the linear member from its point of anchorage to the carriage extends alternately over the sheaves mounted upon the the building and the sheaves mounted upon the carriage to the drum upon the carriage.

The door sections 53, 54, 55 and 55 of the modification of Figure 9, in addition to being moved to fully open positions and fully closed positions in the same manner as the modification of Figures l to 8 inclusive, also are each moved an extra distance which is equal to the travel of the carriage 53 since one end of the cable is anchored to the carriage and the other end of the cable is connected to the drum upon the carriage. The outer door section 53 has a width greater than that of the remaining door sections and this difference in width equals the travel or the carriage. As a result, the door sections are moved diiferentially to their fully open positions and to their fully closed positions.

Figure 10 discloses another embodiment of my invention in which the door is of the folding type and comprises the door sections 59, 6! and 6! with adjacent ends of the sections hinged to each other. These sections are pivoted centrally of both their tops and bottoms and when in open positions extend side by side and transversely of the door opening. The mechanism, including the linear member 62 and the carriage t3 and associated parts for moving these door sections in timed relation to each other, is the same as that illustrated in Figure 2, the linear member being connected oil-center or eccentrically to the door sections 58 and 5!. As a result, the operation of this embodiment is the same as the embodiment of Figures 1 to 8 inclusive. It will also be apparent that the sections of this type of door may be of the same relative widths and moved in timed relation to each other, as illustrated in Figure 9, in which event, the operation is the same as that of Figure 9.

Another embodiment of my invention is illustrated in Figure ll. in which the door comprises the sections 64, 55, 66, ill, and lit, the sections 65 to 63 inclusive being of substantially the same width and the section i l being approximately one half the width of the other sections. In this modification the outer section as is hinged to the building and it is directly operated from the carriage $9 by the link ill pivoted to the carriage and this door section. As a result, this door section is swung in accordance with the movement of the carriage. The remaining door sections i5 and 68 inclusive are operated in the same manner as the door sections of Figure 9, the arrangement being such that all of the door sections are simultaneously differentially moved to simultaneously arrive at their fully open or fully closed positions.

Instead of having a continuous flexible cable forming the linear member or connection to the door sections, the linear member may be formed of a plurality of cable sections H which extend from the anchor to the outer door section and from one door section to the next inner door section and extend from the inner door section to the drum. These cable sections are successively reeved over the sheaves upon the carriage and the sheaves upon the building framework in the same manner as previously described. The ends of these cable sections are adjustably connected to the door sections as by means of the eye-bolts 12 extending through the brackets 13 upon the door sections and threadedly engaged by the nuts 14. In this construction it will be seen that the portions of the door sections between the adjacent ends of the cable sections form with the cable sections the complete linear member or connection from the anchor to the drum.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a door operating system, the combination with a door comprising at least three sections movable relatively to each other while being moved to open and closed positions, of means comprising a single linear member connected to each of said sections, a differential device inde' pendent of said sections and cooperating with said linear member to move said sections to open and closed positions at rates substantially proportional to the distances between the open and closed positions of the respective sections, and

means for driving said device.

2. In a door operating system, the combination with a door comprising at least three sections transversely offset with respect to each other and movable relatively to each other while being moved to open and closed positions, the sections being relatively extended when in closed positions and being arranged side by side when in open positions, a single linear member fixed to each of said sections, means independent of said sections cooperating with said linear member and operating during movement thereof to cause simultaneous difierential movement of said sections whereby the same arrive substantially simultaneously at closed and open positions, and means for driving said last mentioned means.

3. In a door operating system, the combination with a door comprising a plurality of swinging sections movable relatively to each other while being moved to open and closed positions, the sections being relatively extended when in closed positions and being arranged side by side when in open positions, a single linear member conected to each of said sections, means independent of said sections cooperating with said linear member and operating during movement thereof to cause simultaneous difierential movement of said sections whereby the same arrive substantially simultaneously at closed and open positions, and means for driving said last mentioned means.

4. In a door operating system, the combination with a door comprising a plurality of sections, one of which is adapted to swing, said sections being movable relatively to each other while being moved to open and closed positions, the sections being relatively extended when in closed positions and being arranged side by side when in open positions, and a single linear member directly connected to each of said sections, a differential device connected to and cooperating with said linear member to simultaneously diiTerentially move said sections whereby the same arrive substantially simultaneously at open and closed positions and means for driving said device.

5. In a door operating system, the combination with a door comprising a plurality of sections movable relatively to each other from relatively extended relation to juxtaposed relation, of means for moving said door from one relation to another comprising a single flexible linear member connected to said sections at points spaced along the length of said linear member, said sections and the portions of said linear member respectively connected to said sections being movable in unison, and a carriage engaged by the portions of said linear member connected to said sections and bodily movable at a rate proportional to the rate of movement of said linear member.

6. In a door operating system, the combination with a door comprising a plurality of sections movable relatively to each other while being moved to open and closed positions, of a linear member connected to said sections at points spaced along the length of said linear member, said sections and the portions of said linear member respectively connected to said sections being movable in unison, a movable carriage engaged by the portions of said linear member connected to said sections, means for exerting a pull in one direction upon said linear member, and means for moving said carriage in timed relation to said pull exerting means.

7. In a door operating system, the combination with a door comprising a plurality of sections movable relatively to each other while being moved to open and closed positions, of means for moving said sections from one position to the other comprising a movable carriage, flexible means connected to said sections and engaging said carriage, a rotatable member connected to said flexible means and adapted upon rotation in one direction to exert a pull upon the same, and means driven in timed relation to said rotatable member for moving said carriage.

8. In a door operating system, the combination with a door comprising a plurality of sections movable relatively to each other while being moved to open and closed positions, of a linear member connected to said sections, a movable carriage engaged by the portions of said linear member connected to said sections, a rotatable drum connected to said linear member and adapted upon rotation in opposite directions to wind and unwind said linear member, and means driven in timed relation to said drum for moving said carriage in a direction to compensate for the extent of said linear member upon said drum.

9. In a door operating system, the combination with a door comprising a plurality of sections movable relatively to each other while being moved to open and closed positions, of a movable carriage, a linear member connected to said sections and engaging said carriage, a rotatable drum upon said carriage connected to said linear member and adapted upon rotation in opposite directions to wind and unwind said linear member, and means connected to said drum for compelling said carriage to move in a direction to compensate for the extent of said linear member upon said drum.

10. In a door operating system, the combination with a door comprising a plurality of sections movable relatively to each other while being moved to open and closed positions, of a movable carriage, sheaves upon said carriage, a drum, relatively stationary sheaves, an anchor and a connection to said sections extending from said anchor to said drum, said connection being alternately reeved oversaidfirst and second mentioned, sheaves vand connected to saidsections in termediate said first and second mentioned sheaves',[and means for moving said carriage in timed relation to'the rotationof said drum.

1.1. In a door operating system, the combination with a door comprising a plurality of sections movable relatively to each other while being moved to open and closed positions, of. means for simultaneously differentially moving said sections whereby the same arrive substantially simultaneously at closed and open positions, said means comprising relatively stationary sheaves, a movable carriage, sheaves mounted upon said carriage, a stationary anchor, a connection to said sections connected at one end to said anchor and reeved alternately over said second mentioned and first mentioned sheaves, means for connecting said connection to said sections intermediate said second mentioned and first mentioned sheaves, a drum mounted upon said carriage and connected to the other end portion of said connection, and means for moving said carriage in timed relation to the rotation of said drum.

12. In a door operating system, the combination with a door comprising a plurality of sections movable relatively to each other while being moved to open and closed positions, of means for causing simultaneous diiierential movement of said sections whereby the same arrive substantially simultaneously at closed and open positions, said means comprising relatively stationary sheaves, a carriage, sheaves mounted on said carriage, a drum mounted on said carriage, a connection to said sections connected at one end to said carriage and at the other end to said drum and alternately reeved over said first mentioned and second mentioned sheaves and connected to said sections intermediate said second mentioned and first mentioned sheaves, and means for moving said carriage in timed relation to the rotation of said drum.

13. In a door operating system, the combination with a door comprising a plurality of sections movable relatively to each other from relatively extended relation to juxtaposed relation, of means for causing simultaneous difierential movement of said sections whereby the same arrive substantially simultaneously at their relatively extended relation or juxtaposed relation, said means comprising a carriage, a cormection to said sections engaging said carriage, anchor for one end of said connection, means connected to the other end of said connection for exerting a pull in one direction and means for positively moving said carriage in timed relation to said pull exerting means.

14. In a door operating system, the combination with a door comprising a plurality of sec tions movable relatively to each other while being moved to open and closed positions, of means for simultaneously differentially moving said sections whereby the same arrive substantially simultaneously at closed and open positions, said means comprising a movable carriage, a stationary rack, a drum upon said carriage, a pinion upon said carriage engageable with said rack, means for driving said pinion upon rotation of said drum, and a linear member connected at one end to said drum and anchored at the other end, said linear member being connected to said sections intermediate its ends and engaging said carriage intermediate its points of connection to said sections and intermediate its points of connection to one of said sections and said anchor.

15. In adooroperating system, the combination with a door comprising aplurality of sections movable relatively to each other while being moved to open andcl-osed positions, said sections being relatively extended when in closed positions and being arranged side by side when in open positions {of means comprising a linear member having a olifierent portion connected to each ofsaid sections and movable in unison there with and bodily movable means separate from said sections and controlling the movement of said portions to simultaneously differentially move said sections whereby the same arrive substantially simultaneously at closed and open positions, and means for independently and adjustably connecting said linear member to said sections.

16. In a door operating system, the combination with a door comprising a plurality of" sections movable relatively to each other while being moved to open and closed positions, of means for simultaneously dififerentially moving said sections whereby the same arrive substantially simultaneously at open and closed positions, said means comprising a carriage, sheaves upon said carriage, other sheaves, a linear member anchored at one end and extending alternately over said sheaves, means connected to the other end of said linear member for exerting pull thereon, means for moving said carriage in timed relation to the travel of said end connected to said pull exerting means, and means for automatically taking up the slack in said cable.

17. In a door operating system, the combination with a door comprising a plurality of sections movable relatively to each other while being moved to open and closed positions, of a carriage and a single linear member having a different portion connected to and movable in unison with each of said sections, said portions engaging said carriage and the latter being movable to cause simultaneous differential movement of said sec tions whereby the same arrive substantially simultaneously at closed and open positions, and means for automatically checking the rate of movement of said sections when they are arriving at their closed and open positions, said means comprising a member mounted upon said carriage and stationary members engageable with said member.

18. In a door operating system, the combination with a door comprising a plurality of sections movable relatively to each other while being moved to open and closed positions, of means for causing simultaneous differential movement of said sections whereby the same arrive substantially simultaneously at closed and open positions, said means comprising a carriage, a connection between said carriage and one of said sections, an anchor, a drum, relatively stationary sheaves, sheaves upon said carriage and a connection to the remaining sections from said anchor to said drum, said connection extending alternately over said sheaves and being connected to the remaining sections intermediate said sheaves.

19. In a door operating system, the combination with a door comprising a plurality of sections movable relatively to each other while being moved to open and closed positions, of a carriage and a single linear member having a different portion connected to and movable in unison with each of said sections, said portions engaging said carriage and the latter being movable to cause simultaneous differential movement of said sections whereby the same arrive substantially simultaneously at closed and open positions, and means associated with said carriage for automatically checking the rate of movement of said sections in one direction.

20. In a door operating system, the combination with a door comprising a plurality of sections movable relatively to each other from relatively extended relation to juxtaposed relation, of means for moving said sections from one relation to another comprising a bodily movable carriage and a single flexible linear member having portions connected to said sections, there being a different portion connected to each section and movable rectilinearly in unison there with, said portions also engaging said carriage.

JULIUS I. BYRNE. 

